SCENE & HEARD
Industry Reconnects in Atlanta workshoes.com site. “We have to connect to work brands for dropship YOU COULD FEEL the energy the minute entering the Cobb Galleria arrangements,” he says, adding that Tip Top’s online business is nearing Centre, longtime home of The Atlanta Shoe Market (TASM), held 50 percent of total sales. “We think about our inventory much differently last month. The crowd noise, the narrower aisles to squeeze in more as a whole, because that customer comes from all over the country.” exhibitors and the buyers and wholesalers who filled them—all happily On that note, Sue Orischak, owner of Foot Solutions in Scottsdale, AZ, reconnecting after two years of zoom meetings and fits and starts at made the cross-country trek to meet with her many niche vendors. In parin-person events. It felt like a big family reunion, and many in attenticular, she was shopping several categories that are becoming important dance said the show marked the first time their whole teams had come as the pandemic (hopefully) retreats. “The need for comfortable dress together in two years. shoes for all the special occasions that were postponed,” she says is one, “We had 55 appointments, whereas we usually book 35 to 40 at this noting that the loss of Beautifeel has left a void that many vendors are show,” says Kevin Bosco, president of Bos. & Co., makers of a namesake scrambling to fill. “Now that customers have spent the past two years in brand, Fly London, Asportuguesas and Softinos. “And they’re coming sneakers and slippers, there’s little or no desire for uncomfortable dress more so from the Midwest and the Northeast, who used to not come shoes.” The other ongoing trend is athleisure, but now with interesting here.” In addition to the broader geographical reach, Bosco reports that outsole treatments, zippers and unexpected pops of color. “The zippers TASM drew buyers beyond its sit-and-fit base. The strong reaction to its are perfect for customers ready to travel again, and almost everyone is trendier collections in Fly London and Bos & Co. served as proof. “It was ready to travel the world or just nearby to see a good show all around; we’re definitely pleased friends and family,” she says. with the response to all our lines,” he says. “Our TASM, in that way, is no different. Show retail customers are coming off a very good year, Director Laura O’Brien, who is marking her 40th and they were looking to buy.” anniversary as head hostess this fall, believes that Bill Langrell, COO of Taos, concurs on good vibe family atmosphere has been key to its long-running and strong traffic. “Our appointment schedule was success. “The industry wants to come to Atlanta full, but what I didn’t anticipate was the amount because it’s affordable and it’s easy,” she says, notof walk-ins we received,” he says. “We didn’t even ing the floor plan exceeded the February 2019 know they were coming, and they came from all edition, coming in at more than 800 exhibitors over the place.” Even better was the amount of new and 1,500-plus brands. (Last August saw 500 account interest. “Generally, we’re not receptive exhibitors.) That included the return of Ugg, Frye to that much, but we had a couple of compelling and Camuto Group leasing large store spaces meetings that we’re definitely going to do,” he says, Laura O’Brien, show director, TASM in the mall area. Buyer attendance was also up crediting the interest to Taos’ growing success. markedly, particularly from the Midwest, West “We know our customer perfectly now, and we Coast and internationally. “It was a huge bump in attendance overall,” just keep building off that,” Langrell explains, adding that the effort now O’Brien reports. “Our opening night party was packed, and people were is to get a little younger. “We’re moving out of some core basic stuff and just glad to be back together.” into a bit more fashion, but nothing too jarring. We move slow, which is “This is the only national show now,” says Daniel Butler of Lines of a blessing and a curse. We don’t make big mistakes, but sometimes we Denmark, distributors of Ilse Jacobsen and Rollie, among others. “The take the long way to get their safely.” show is busting at the seams and now attended by all the national chains. Joe Pickett, co-owner of Casitas Footwear, distributors of Wonders, Plus, it’s very affordable for exhibitors.” Butler adds, “Our traffic was great. Toni Pons and Onfoot, attests to TASM’s broader buyer base. The success I have no complaints.” Langrell agrees on the affordability of TASM. of Wonders, in particular, bore that out. “The brand has evolved from “Atlanta, per dollar, has always been the best show for Taos, whereas the being more classic comfort looks to more sport-inspired, and some of our math to justifying the cost of Vegas was always tough,” he says. boots now feature big volume soles that are lightweight,” he says. “Our Lastly, TASM is no longer on the outskirts of town. Notably, the new Southeast rep has developed a strong business with better-grade fashion Atlanta Braves stadium and The Battery—with its many restaurants, bars comfort retailers, and the response to Wonders was fabulous.” Further and shops—are a walk from the Cobb Galleria Centre. “You don’t have evidence of TASM serving as more of a national show, Pickett adds, was to leave the area for entertainment,” O’Brien says, citing consistency as the success of this fall market. “Historically, fall hasn’t been as big as the another key aspect of the show’s success. “Our attendees know what to spring market here, because the Southeast traditionally isn’t a big boot expect: a show that’s easy to work and just works” she says. “It’s a relaxing, market. But this show been really good for all our lines.” family environment—we’ve never wanted the hoopla of Vegas.” Danny Wasserman of Tip Top Shoes in New York, who made the rounds Orischak, for one, is on the TASM train. “I appreciate the overall ease with his son and daughter (Lester and Margot), said TASM had everything and convenience of the Cobb Galleria Centre,” she says. “The attached they were looking for—and then some. “There are more vendors here, hotels make life easy, and there are many restaurants in proximity. I look and it’s easier to get here,” he says. Specifically, Wasserman was on the forward to returning in August. This is clearly the rising national shoe hunt for Jesus-like flat sandals—a trend he expects to be big this summer. show for so many awesome reasons.” Work brands were also on the agenda as the company is relaunching its
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